Digital camera

ABSTRACT

A digital camera is provided with a special successive shooting mode wherein an imaging device makes a series of successive shots upon each shutter release operation, including at least a non-flash shot and at least a flash shot. When a shutter button is pressed halfway in the successive shooting mode, an exposure condition deciding device decides an exposure condition common to the non-flash and flash shots, or individual exposure conditions for the non-flash shot and the flash shot. When the shutter button is fully pressed, the imaging device starts the successive shots of one series. Images captured by the non-flash shot and the flash shot are displayed on an LCD panel. Before the imaging device starts the successive shots, necessary warning marks are displayed together with the exposure conditions decided by the exposure condition deciding device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a digital camera that can shoot imagesof the same subject with flash and without flash in continuoussuccession upon a shutter release operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of digital cameras, including compact type,single-reflex type, and ones incorporated into electronic equipments,like a camera phone. According to the types, the digital cameras havevarious functions. For example, there are such single-reflex typedigital cameras that have a function to perform successive shots inresponse to a shutter release operation, some of which can emit flashlight synchronously with each shot, as disclosed for example in JapaneseLaid-open Patent Application No. 2005-284166.

The above-mentioned prior art discloses a digital still camera and amethod of controlling the successive shots, wherein the amount of flashlight that is necessary for a proper exposure condition is calculatedbased on a subject distance, a stop aperture value and an imagingsensitivity of an imaging device. During the successive shots, it ischecked if a flash device can emit the calculated necessary amount offlash light, considering how much voltage is charged in a main capacitorand other flashing conditions. So long as the flash device can emit thenecessary amount of light, the camera performs flash shots. After itbecomes impossible to emit the necessary amount of flash light, thecamera continues shooting while adjusting the stop aperture value, theshutter speed and/or the imaging sensitivity so as to set a properexposure condition under an available amount of light.

According to the prior art, however, the choice between flash shot andnon-flash shot is made during the successive shots depending upon thevoltage charged in the main capacitor and the like, and the user cannotmake that choice. Besides, it is difficult to judge which is preferablefor an individual scene using the flash light or not, unless the userchecks the obtained images. Therefore, it is desirable to make both aflash shot and a non-flash shot to one scene, so that the user maycompare them afterward.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a primary object of the present invention isto provide a digital camera that can make a flash shot and a non-flashshot successively to one scene while setting proper exposure conditions,and allows comparison between images as obtained through the flash shotand the non-flash shot.

According to the present invention, in a digital camera that is providedwith a special successive shooting mode wherein an imaging device makesa series of successive shots upon each shutter release operation,including at least a non-flash shot and at least a flash shot that ismade synchronously with a flash light from a flash device, the digitalcamera comprises an exposure condition deciding device for decidingexposure condition of the imaging device through photometry andcalculation, wherein the exposure condition deciding device decides acommon exposure condition to the non-flash shot and the flash shot inthe successive shooting mode.

The exposure condition deciding device may alternatively decideindividual exposure conditions for the non-flash shot and the flash shotupon a shutter button being pressed halfway in the successive shootingmode, and the imaging device starts the successive shots of one serieswhen the shutter button is fully pressed.

Preferably, the digital camera further comprises a light control devicefor controlling volume of the flash light from the flash device, thelight control device being successively driven upon a predeterminedoperation or at predetermined timing while the imaging device is beingdriven successively in the successive shooting mode.

Preferably, the digital camera further comprises a device for changingimaging sensitivity of the imaging device when under-exposure will occurunder the exposure condition decided based on the present sensitivity inthe successive shooting mode.

When a plural number of flash shots are successively made upon oneshutter release operation in the successive shooting mode, it ispreferable to raise the imaging sensitivity and activate the lightcontrol device for these flash shots.

Preferably, the digital camera further comprises a judging device forjudging whether to lower photometric sensitivity and imaging sensitivitywhen a measured subject brightness value is above a predetermined value,wherein when the judging device judges to lower the photometricsensitivity and imaging sensitivity, the exposure condition decidingdevice carries out the photometry and calculation at the loweredphotometric and imaging sensitivities to decide the exposure conditions,and the imaging device makes the successive shots at the lowered imagingsensitivity.

Preferably, the digital camera further comprises a display device fordisplaying images based on image data obtained through the imagingdevice, wherein the display device displays images as captured by thesuccessive shots of one series in the successive shooting mode.

Preferably, the digital camera further comprises a warning device forgiving warning when it is judged to be necessary to warn about one orboth of the non-flash shot and the flash shot in the successive shootingmode.

According to a preferred embodiment, the imaging device of the digitalcamera first makes tentative non-flash and flash shots at a lowresolution, and thereafter makes the successive shots of one series at ahigher resolution in the successive shooting mode. Thereby, it becomespossible to display preview images based on image data obtained by thetentative shots. It is preferable to display necessary warnings togetherwith the corresponding preview images.

Where the digital camera comprises a light control device forcontrolling volume of the flash light from the flash device, the flashdevice emits a first light with a first volume at the tentative flashshot in the successive shooting mode, and the light control devicecalculates a second light volume based on a photometric value obtainedthrough the tentative flash shot, so the flash device emits the flashlight with the second light volume at the flash shot of the successiveshots.

Based on data obtained through the tentative non-f lash and flash shot,the exposure condition deciding device preferably decides the exposureconditions for the non-flash shot and the flash shot of the successiveshots of one series.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbe more apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanieddrawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a digital camera embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the digital camera;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic structure of thedigital camera;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a program for automatic exposurecontrol, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a main sequence for operating thedigital camera in a successive shooting mode, according to the firstembodiment;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an embodiment of adisplay screen for checking images captured in the successive shootingmode;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another embodiment of adisplay screen for checking images captured in the successive shootingmode;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating still another embodimentof a display screen for checking images captured in the successiveshooting mode;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating programs for automaticexposure control for a non-flash shot and a flash shot, according to asecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a main sequence for operating thedigital camera in the successive shooting mode, according to the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating programs for automaticexposure control for a non-flash shot and a flash shot, according to athird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a main sequence for operating thedigital camera in the successive shooting mode, according to the thirdembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a program for automatic exposurecontrol, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a main sequence for operating thedigital camera, according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a sub-sequence for judging whetherto lower sensitivity or not, according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of a warning-displayprocess, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a warningdisplay screen according to the fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of afile structure on storing image data in a memory card;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are explanatory diagrams illustrating another exampleof a file structure on storing image data in a memory card;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic structure of adigital camera according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating a main sequence for operating adigital camera, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a displayscreen for displaying exposure condition data and warning data aboutboth of first and second shots;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of adisplay screen for displaying exposure condition data and warning dataabout both of first and second shots;

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a displayscreen where exposure condition data and warning data are displayedabout only one of successive shots;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example ofdisplay screen which displays exposure condition data and warning dataabout one shot, and thereafter those on the next shot in the successiveshooting mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an outer appearance of a digital camera 10 embodyingthe present invention. The digital camera 10 has a substantiallyparallelepiped camera body 11 that is provided with a taking lens 12 anda flash device 13 on its front. On a rear side of the camera body 11 ismounted an LCD panel 15 as an image display device. As will be describedwith reference to FIG. 3, a touch panel 19 is mounted on an obversesurface of the LCD panel 15. The camera body 11 has on its top a releasebutton 16, a power switch 17, and a mode selection dial 18. According tothe present embodiment, a user can press the release button 16 into ahalf-pressed position and then to a full-pressed position. Although itis not shown in the drawings, a memory card slot is provided in a bottomof the camera body 11, for detachably attaching a memory card 51 (seeFIG. 3) to the digital camera 10, so that the memory card 51 storesimage data captured by the digital camera 10.

Responsive to an operation on the mode selection dial 18, the digitalcamera 10 is switched over between a standard shooting mode, asuccessive shooting mode, a reproduction mode for displaying capturedimages on the LCD panel 15, and other modes. After the mode selection,the digital camera 10 is operated through the touch panel 19, except theoperation on the shutter button 16 and the power switch 17.

In synchronism with a shutter release operation that is executed whenthe shutter button 16 is fully pressed, the flash device 13 emits aflash of light toward a subject, to make a flash shot. The amount offlash light is decided depending upon a subject distance, an imagingsensitivity and a stop aperture value, so as to make a proper exposureamount. In the standard shooting mode, the flash device 13 automaticallyemits light to a subject whose brightness is less than a predeterminedlevel, but does not automatically emit light to a subject whosebrightness is above the predetermined level. The user can also decidewhether to emit the flash light or not in the standard shooting mode,regardless of the subject brightness.

When the successive shooting mode is selected, a series of shots aremade in continuous succession upon the shutter button 16 being fullypressed down. In the present invention, the successive shooting modemeans a specific successive shooting mode wherein at least a non-flashshot, i.e. a shot without the flash light, and at least a flash shotwith the flash light, are made upon each shutter release operation. In afirst embodiment of the invention, the digital camera 10 first makes anon-flash shot and next a flash shot upon each shutter releaseoperation, as set forth in detail later

Referring to FIG. 3, a CPU 21 controls respective components of thedigital camera 10 through an I/O bus 23, in response to variousoperational signals entered through the shutter button 16, the powerswitch 17 and the touch panel 19.

The taking lens 12 is a zoom lens system consisting of lens elements 26and a stop 27. The lens elements 26 are driven by a lens drive mechanism28 including a stepping motor, to adjust the optical zoom rate and thefocal point of the zoom lens 12.

The stop 27 is driven by a stop drive mechanism 29 including a steppingmotor, to change the aperture value of the stop 27 stepwise. Forexample, where the stop 27 has an f-number of F/2.8 at the openaperture, and an f-number of F/11 at the minimum aperture, the stop 27is set at one of F/2.8, F/4, F/5.6, F/8 and F/11, which correspond toaperture values of 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0, respectively. The lensdrive mechanism 28 and the stop drive mechanism 29 are respectivelydriven by motor drivers 31 and 32 under the control of the CPU 21.

A solid state imaging device, e.g. a CCD 35, is placed behind the takinglens 12. The CCD 35 is connected to the CPU 21 via a timing generator(TG) 36. In the shooting modes, the CPU 21 controls the timing generator36 to generate a timing signal consisting of clock pulses, so the CCD 35is driven by the timing signal.

An optical image is formed through the taking lens 12 on a lightreceiving surface of the CCD 35, so the CCD 35 converts the opticalimage into an analog image signal. The image signal is sent from the CCD35 to a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit 37, which outputs imagesignal of three primary colors (R, G, B) in correspondence withrespective amounts of electrostatic charges in individual cells of theCCD 35. The analog three color image signals output from the CDS circuit37 are amplified by an amplifier (AMP) 38, and are converted through anA/D converter 39 into digital image data.

The image data is output from the A/D converter 39 to an image inputcontroller 41. The image input controller 41 is connected to the CPU 21via the I/O bus 23, and the I/O bus 23 is connected to an internalmemory 43, e.g. a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM). Sothe CPU 21 controls the image input controller 41 to write the imagedata in the internal memory 43. The image data, as stored in theinternal memory 43, is processed by an image signal processor circuit 46for gradation conversion, white-balance correction, gamma correction andthe like.

In the shooting modes, the CCD 35 carries out an imaging process at agiven frame rate, and the obtained image data is processed as above.Based on the processed image data, live image of the subject, or may becalled camera-through image, is displayed on the LCD panel 15. The LCDpanel 15 is driven by an LCD driver 48. The LCD driver 48 is providedwith an image memory and a D/A converter, to store the processed imagedata temporarily in the image memory and then converts the image datathrough the D/A converter into an analog signal, e.g. NTSC signal. Thenthe LCD driver 48 outputs the NTSC signal to the LCD panel 15.

When the shutter release operation is made by pressing the shutterbutton 16 to the full, the CCD 35 captures true image data of biggerpixel numbers than the image data for the live image. The true imagedata is processed in the same way as set forth above, and thencompressed according to a predetermined compression format, e.g.JPEG-format, through a compander circuit 49. A media controller 50writes the compressed true image data in the memory card 51.

Besides the media controller 50, the compander circuit 49, the LCDdriver 48 and the image signal processor circuit 46, an automaticexposure control (AE) circuit 53, an automatic focusing (AF) circuit 49and a flash memory 55 are connected to the I/O bus 23. The AF circuit 54extracts high frequency contrast data from the image data as beingoutput from the image input controller 41, and sends the contrast datato the CPU 21. With reference to the contrast data, the CPU 21 controlsthe lens drive mechanism 28 through the motor driver 27, to move afocusing lens along an optical axis. The focusing lens is included inthe lens elements 26, and stopped at a position where the contrast ofthe high frequency component of the subject image becomes the highest.

The AE circuit 53 integrates luminance signal of the image data, todetect an integrated luminance value as photometric data that isrepresentative of a brightness value of the subject. The AE circuit 53also detects what kind of light source is used at present, and sends theluminance value or subject brightness value and the information on thelight source to the CPU 21. Based on the subject brightness value, theCPU 21 decides a proper exposure condition, as a combination of a stopaperture value, a shutter speed, and an imaging sensitivity. Then, theCPU 21 controls the stop drive mechanism 29 through the motor driver 32,to set the decided aperture value at the stop 27, and controls thetiming generator 36 to generate such timing signal that activates theCCD 35 at the decided shutter speed. The CPU 21 also sets the decidedimaging sensitivity at the CDS circuit 37 and the amplifier 38.

On setting the exposure condition, the CPU 21 decides the shutter speed,the stop aperture value and the imaging sensitivity based on the subjectbrightness, with reference to an automatic exposure control program thatis previously stored in the flash memory 55. Note that the flash memory55 is a well known non-volatile memory that stores various programs,various data and various parameters for use in controlling theoperations.

FIG. 4 shows an automatic exposure control program according to thefirst embodiment, wherein the same exposure condition that is decidedbased on the subject brightness is used for the non-flash shot and theflash shot in the successive shooting mode. In the first embodiment, theexposure condition is decided by the shutter speed and the aperturevalue, while the imaging sensitivity is maintained constant for thenon-flash shot and the flash shot as well.

Now the operation of the digital camera 10 in the successive Shootingmode of the first embodiment will be described with reference to theflow chart of FIG. 5.

First, the power switch 17 is turned on (ST1: step 1), and the LCD panel15 is operated to select the successive shooting mode (ST2: step 2).Then, the image data output from the image input controller 41 is sentto the LCD driver 48, to display the live image of the subject on theLCD panel 15 (ST3: step 3). Thus, the LCD panel 15 functions as anelectronic viewfinder, so the user frames a scene while observing thelive image on the LCD panel 15. When the user presses the shutter button16 halfway or lightly (ST4: step 4), the AF circuit 54 executes an AFprocessing (ST5: step 5), and the AE circuit 53 executes an AEprocessing (ST6: step 6).

The AF circuit 54 extracts the high frequency contrast data from theimage data, and sends the contrast data to the CPU 21. The CPU 21controls the lens drive mechanism 28 through the motor driver 27, tomove the lens elements 26 to a position where the contrast of the highfrequency component of the subject image becomes the highest.

The AE circuit 53 integrates the luminance signal of the image data, andsends the integrated luminance value as a brightness value of thesubject to the CPU 21. Based on the subject brightness value, the CPU 21decides a proper exposure condition, as a combination of a stop aperturevalue and a shutter speed, according to the program 60. In the exampleshown in FIG. 4, the subject brightness value is 13Ev, so the shutterspeed is decided to be Tv8 ( 1/250 sec.), and the aperture value isdecided to be Av5 (F/5.8). Then, the CPU 21 controls the stop drivemechanism 29 to set the decided aperture value at the stop 27, andcontrols the timing generator 36 to activate the CCD 35 at the decidedshutter speed (ST7: step 7).

After confirming the live image on the LCD panel 15 (ST8: step 8), theuser presses the shutter button 16 farther from the half-pressedposition to the full-pressed position (ST9: step 9). The moment theshutter button 16 is pressed to the full, the non-flash shot is madefirst (ST10: step 10), and the imaging signal is read out from the CCD35 in a charge accumulation time corresponding to the shutter speed setby the AE circuit 53. The imaging signal from the CCD 35 is fed throughthe CDS circuit 37, the amplifier 38 and the A/D converter 39 to theimage input controller 41, so the image input controller 41 outputsimage data. The image data obtained by the non-flash shot is temporarilystored in the internal memory 43. Next, the CPU 21 executes the flashshot by driving the flash device 13 to emit a predetermined amount oflight synchronously with a second time of reading of the imaging signalfrom the CCD 35 in the charge accumulation time corresponding to the setshutter speed (ST11: step 11). Image data obtained by the flash shot isalso stored temporarily in the internal memory 43, to complete the flashshot. Then, the CPU 21 reads out the image data as captured by thenon-flash shot and the flash shot from the internal memory 43, todisplay post-view images on the LCD panel 15 based on the captured imagedata (ST12: step 12). In the present embodiment, the post-view imagesare displayed in the way as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. That is, the image61 captured by the non-flash shot is displayed first, and the image 62captured by the flash shot is displayed next. After displaying thecaptured images, the CPU 21 compresses the image data to reduce the datavolume through the compander circuit 49, and writes the compressed imagedata in the memory card 51 through the media controller 50 (ST13: step13). It is alternatively possible to write the image data in the memorycard 51 while displaying the captured images. For example, the imagedata of the image 61 captured by the non-flash shot is written in thememory card 51 while the captured image 61 is displayed on the LCD panel15, and when the writing of the image data of the image 61 is completed,the LCD panel 15 switches to display the image 62 captured by the flashshot. While the image 62 is displayed, the image data of the image 62 iswritten in the memory card 51. Completion of writing of the image dataobtained by the non-flash and flash shots is the end of one successiveshooting. Then, the CPU 21 resets the LCD panel 15 to display the liveimage. The user can make the successive shooting appropriate times bymaking the shutter release operations the appropriate times during thesuccessive shooting mode.

Since the image data of the same subject is obtained by the non-flashshot and the flash shot in succession upon one shutter releaseoperation, the user can compare the image captured by the non-flash shotto one captured by the flash shot, to choose a better one.

Although the post-view images 61 and 62 of the non-flash shot and theflash shot are displayed one after another at predetermined intervals inthe first embodiment, it is possible to display both of the images 61and 62 on the same screen of the LCD panel 15, as shown in FIG. 7,thereby to facilitate comparison between them. It is also possible todisplay switching buttons 63 a and 63 b on the LCD panel 15, to switchover between post-view images by operating the buttons 63 a and 63 b onthe touch panel 19. Another kind of switching device is usable insteadof the switching buttons 63 a and 63 b of the touch panel 19.

In the first embodiment, the post-view images obtained by the non-flashshot and the flash shot in the successive shooting mode are displayedbefore the image data of these images are written in the memory card 51.However, it is possible to display the post-view images after the imagedata of these images are written in the memory card 51. In that case, itis preferable to provide the touch panel 19 with such a button 65 thatputs the screen back to the previous condition, for example, a standbycondition preparing for the next shutter release operation, where thelive image is displayed on the LCD panel 15. Alternatively, the screenmay be set back to the previous condition automatically after thepost-view images are displayed for a predetermined time.

In the first embodiment, the non-flash shot and the flash shot are madeat the same exposure condition decided through the AE processing uponthe shutter button 16 being half-pressed in the successive shootingmode. But the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In asecond embodiment as set forth below, the non-flash shot and the flashshot are made at different exposure conditions from each other. Adigital camera for the second embodiment may have the same structuredescribed in the first embodiment, so the following description will usethe same reference numerals as used in the first embodiment, and willrefer to merely those features essential to the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, a flash memory 55 stores automatic exposurecontrol programs 71 and 72, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, for thenon-flash shot and for the flash shot respectively. On the AE processingin the successive shooting mode, a CPU 21 reads the programs 71 and 72,to decide proper exposure conditions for the non-flash shot and theflash shot based on a subject brightness value according to the programs71 and 72, respectively.

Now the operation in the successive shooting mode of the secondembodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.10.

First, a power switch 17 is turned on (ST1: step 1), and the successiveshooting mode is selected (ST2: step 2). Then, the live image of thesubject is displayed on the LCD panel 15 (ST3: step 3). The user framesa scene while observing the live image on the LCD panel 15. When theuser presses a shutter release button 16 halfway (ST4: step 4), an AFcircuit 54 executes an AF processing (ST5: step 5), and an AE circuit 53executes an AE processing (ST6: step 6). The AE circuit 53 integratesthe luminance signal of the image data, and sends the integratedluminance value as a subject brightness value to a CPU 21. The CPU 21reads the programs 71 and 72 and decides proper exposure conditions forthe non-flash shot and the flash shot based on the subject brightnessvalue. In the example shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the subject brightnessvalue is 8Ev, so the shutter speed is decided to be Tv5 ( 1/30 sec.),and the aperture value is decided to be Av3 (F/2.8) according to theprogram 71 for the non-flash shot. On setting the exposure conditionaccording to the program 72 for the flash shot, the subject brightnessvalue of 8Ev is so dark that there is no corresponding combination of ashutter speed and an aperture value. Therefore, as the lightestavailable exposure condition, a shutter speed of Tv6 ( 1/60 sec.) and anaperture value of Av3 (F/2.8) are selected. Then, the CPU 21 controls astop drive mechanism 29 to set the decided aperture value at a stop 27,and controls a timing generator 36 to provide the decided shutter speed(ST7: step 7). After confirming the live image on the LCD panel 15 (ST8:step 8), the user presses the shutter button 16 farther from thehalf-pressed position to the full-pressed position (ST9: step 9).

The moment the shutter button 16 is pressed to the full, the non-flashshot is made first (ST10: step 10) at the exposure condition decidedaccording to the program 71, and the image data obtained by thenon-flash shot is temporarily stored in the internal memory 43. Next,the CPU 21 changes the shutter speed and the aperture value to thosevalues decided according to the program 72 for the flash shot (ST11:step 11). Then, the CPU 21 executes the flash shot while driving theflash device 13 to emit a predetermined amount of light. Image dataobtained by the flash shot is also stored temporarily in the internalmemory 43, to complete the flash shot (ST12: step 12). Then, the CPU 21reads out the image data as captured by the non-flash shot and the flashshot from the internal memory 43, to display post-view images on the LCDpanel 15 based on the captured image data (ST13: step 13). Afterdisplaying the captured images, the CPU 21 compresses the image data toreduce the data volume through a compander circuit 49, and writes thecompressed image data in the memory card 51 through a media controller50 (ST14: step 14).

Since image data of the same subject is successively captured by thenon-flash shot and the flash shot under proper exposure conditionsrespectively, it becomes possible to capture the images of betterqualities than those achieved by the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the non-flash shot and the flash shot arealways made at the same imaging sensitivity. But the present inventionis not limited to this embodiment. In a third embodiment as set forthbelow, the imaging sensitivity is changed depending upon the subjectbrightness in the successive shooting mode. The third embodiment isapplicable to a digital camera that has the same structure as describedin the first embodiment, so the following description will use the samereference numerals as used in the first embodiment, and will refer tomerely those features essential to the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, a flash memory 55 stores an automatic exposurecontrol programs 81 and 82 for the non-flash shot and for the flashshot, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. On the AE processing in thesuccessive shooting mode, a CPU 21 reads the programs 81 and 82, todecide proper exposure conditions for the non-flash shot and the flashshot based on a subject brightness value according to the programs 81and 82, respectively. In the third embodiment, the exposure condition isdetermined as a combination of a shutter speed, an aperture value and animaging sensitivity. As implied by +Sv1, +Sv2 and +Sv3 in the programs81 and 82, the imaging sensitivity is gradually raised as the subjectbrightness becomes lower.

Now the operation in the successive shooting mode of the thirdembodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.12.

First, a power switch 17 is turned on (ST1: step 1), and the successiveshooting mode is selected (ST2: step 2). Then, the live image of thesubject is displayed on the LCD panel 15 (ST3: step 3), so the userframes a scene while observing the live image on the LCD panel 15. Whenthe user presses a shutter release button 16 halfway (ST4: step 4), anAF circuit 54 executes an AF processing (ST5: step 5), and an AE circuit53 executes an AE processing (ST6: step 6). The AE circuit 53 integratesthe luminance signal of the image data, and sends the integratedluminance value as a subject brightness value to a CPU 21. The CPU 21reads the programs 81 and 82 and decides proper exposure conditions forthe non-flash shot and the flash shot based on the subject brightnessvalue. In the example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the subject brightnessvalue is 6Ev, so the shutter speed is decided to be Tv5 ( 1/30 sec.),and the aperture value is decided to be Av3 (F/2.8) according to theprogram 81 for the non-flash shot. On setting the exposure condition forthe flash shot according to the program 82, the subject brightness valueof 6Ev is so dark that there is no corresponding combination of ashutter speed and an aperture value. Therefore, as the lightestavailable exposure condition, a shutter speed of Tv6 ( 1/60 sec.) and anaperture value of Av3 (F/2.8) are selected, and also the imagingsensitivity Sv is raised one grade. Then, the CPU 21 controls a stopdrive mechanism 29 to set the decided aperture value at a stop 27, thedecided shutter speed at a timing generator 36, and the decided imagingsensitivity at a CDS circuit 37 and the amplifier 38 (ST7: step 7).After confirming the live image on the LCD panel 15 (ST8: step 8), theuser presses the shutter button 16 farther from the half-pressedposition to the full-pressed position (ST9: step 9).

The moment the shutter button 16 is pressed to the full, the non-flashshot is made first (ST10: step 10) at the exposure condition decidedaccording to the program 81, and the image data obtained by thenon-flash shot is temporarily stored in the internal memory 43. Next,the CPU 21 changes the shutter speed, the aperture value and the imagingsensitivity to those values decided according to the program 82 for theflash shot (ST11: step 11). Then, the CPU 21 executes the flash shotwhile driving the flash device 13 to emit a predetermined amount oflight. Image data obtained by the flash shot is also stored temporarilyin the internal memory 43, to complete the flash shot (ST12: step 12).Then, the CPU 21 reads out the image data as captured by the non-flashshot and the flash shot from the internal memory 43, to displaypost-view images on the LCD panel 15 based on the captured image data(ST13: step 13). After displaying the captured images, the CPU 21compresses the image data to reduce the data volume through a compandercircuit 49, and writes the compressed image data in the memory card 51through a media controller 50 (ST14: step 14).

Since image data of the same subject is successively captured by thenon-flash shot and the flash shot while changing the exposureconditions, including the imaging sensitivity, it becomes possible tocapture the images of better qualities than those achieved by the firstand second embodiments.

In the first embodiment, photometric sensitivity and imaging sensitivityare always maintained constant both for the non-flash shot and the flashshot. In a fourth embodiment as set forth below, the photometricsensitivity and the imaging sensitivity are changed depending upon thesubject brightness in the successive shooting mode. The fourthembodiment is applicable to a digital camera that has the same structureas described in the first embodiment, so the following description willuse the same reference numerals as used in the first embodiment, andwill refer to merely those features essential to the third embodiment.In the fourth embodiment, a CPU 21 functions as a device that executes ajudging process for deciding whether to lower the sensitivity or not.

In the fourth embodiment, a flash memory 55 stores an automatic exposurecontrol program 91 for the non-flash shot and for the flash shot, asshown in FIG. 13. On the AE processing in the successive shooting mode,a CPU 21 reads the program 91, to decide proper exposure conditions forthe non-flash shot and the flash shot based on a subject brightnessvalue according to the program 91. As shown in FIG. 13, the program 91includes three kinds of programs indicated by solid lines 91 a, dashedlines 91 b and chain-dotted lines 91 c. The program indicated by thesolid lines 91 a is used to decide the exposure condition for thenon-flash and flash shots while the subject brightness is in a lowerrange. On the other hand, the programs indicated by the dashed lines 91b and the chain-dotted lines 91 c are used to decide the exposurecondition while the subject brightness is in a higher range, wherein theprogram 91 b is for the non-flash shot, and the program 91 c is for theflash shot. Note that ISO sensitivity is used for setting thephotometric sensitivity and the imaging sensitivity.

Now the operation in the successive shooting mode of the fourthembodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIGS.14 and 15.

First, a power switch 17 is turned on (ST1: step 1), and the successiveshooting mode is selected (ST2: step 2). Then, the live image of thesubject is displayed on the LCD panel 15 (ST3: step 3), so the userframes a scene while observing the live image on the LCD panel 15. Whenthe user presses a shutter release button 16 halfway (ST4: step 4), theCPU 21 executes the judging process (ST5: step 5) for deciding whetherto lower the sensitivity or not, as shown in FIG. 15. First, it ischecked whether automatic setting of the ISO sensitivity is selected ora fixed value is selected as the ISO sensitivity (ST101: step 101). Ifthe ISO sensitivity is fixed, the fixed value is used without loweringthe sensitivity. If the automatic setting selected, the CPU 21 checks ifthe live image is displayed on an LCD panel 15 (ST102: step 102), andextracts the last frame of the displayed live image, to send the lastframe to an AE circuit 53 (ST103: step 103). If the live image is notdisplayed, the judging process for lowering the sensitivity isterminated. The AE circuit 53 integrates luminance signals of theextracted frame, and sends the integrated luminance value as a tentativesubject brightness value to the CPU 21 (ST104: step 104). The CPU 21compares the tentative subject brightness value with a predeterminedvalue (ST105: step 105). If the tentative subject brightness value isless than the predetermined value, the CPU 21 calculates a sensitivitylowering value according to the tentative subject brightness value(ST106: step 106). Then, the calculated sensitivity lowering value iscompared with a second predetermined value (ST107: step 107). If thesensitivity lowering value is not less than the second predeterminedvalue, the photometric sensitivity and the imaging sensitivity aredecided to be lowered (ST108: step 108). If the sensitivity loweringvalue is less than the second predetermined value, the photometricsensitivity and the imaging sensitivity are kept Unchanged (ST109: step109). Thus, the judging process is concluded.

When the judging process is concluded, an AF circuit 54 executes an AFprocessing (ST6: step 6), and an AE circuit 53 executes an AE processing(ST7: step 7). The AE circuit 53 integrates the luminance signal of theimage data, and sends the integrated luminance value as a subjectbrightness value to the CPU 21. If the sensitivity is decided to belowered in the preceding judging process, the CPU 21 drives a timinggenerator 36, a CDS circuit 37 and an amplifier 38 so as to lower thephotometric sensitivity by the decided sensitivity lowering value. Then,the CPU 21 reads the program 91 and decides proper exposure conditionsfor the non-flash shot and the flash shot based on the subjectbrightness value. At that time, if the sensitivity lowering value is notset up in the previous judgment process, the CPU 21 decides the exposurecondition according to the solid lines 91 a, and applies this exposurecondition to both the non-flash shot and the flash shot. If, on theother hand, the sensitivity lowering value is set up in the previousjudgment process, the CPU 21 controls the timing generator 36, the CDScircuit 37 and the amplifier 38 to lower the photometric sensitivity andthe imaging sensitivity. At the same time, the CPU 21 switches to decidethe exposure condition for the non-flash shot according to the dashedlines 91 b, and the exposure condition for the flash shot according tothe chain-dotted lines 91 c. Then, the CPU 21 sets the exposurecondition as decided according to the program 91 a or the program 91 b(ST8: step 8). After confirming the live image on the LCD panel 15 (ST9:step 9), the user presses the shutter button 16 farther from thehalf-pressed position to the full-pressed position (ST10: step 10).

The moment the shutter button 16 is pressed to the full, the non-flashshot is made first (ST11: step 11) at the exposure condition decidedaccording to the program 91 a or 91 b, and the image data obtained bythe non-flash shot is temporarily stored in the internal memory 43.Next, if the sensitivity lowering value is set up, the CPU 21 changesthe shutter speed and the aperture value to those values decidedaccording to the program 91 c for the flash shot (ST12: step 12). Ifnot, the same exposure condition is used for the flash shot as for thenon-flash shot. Then, the CPU 21 executes the flash shot while drivingthe flash device 13 to emit a predetermined amount of light. Image dataobtained by the flash shot is also stored temporarily in the internalmemory 43, to complete the flash shot (ST13: step 13). Then, the CPU 21reads out the image data as captured by the non-flash shot and the flashshot from the internal memory 43, to display post-view images on the LCDpanel 15 based on the captured image data (ST14: step 14). Afterdisplaying the captured images, the CPU 21 compresses the image data toreduce the data volume through a compander circuit 49, and writes thecompressed image data in the memory card 51 through a media controller50 (ST15: step 15).

Since the photometric sensitivity and the imaging sensitivity arechanged according to the subject brightness in the successive shootingmode, and the exposure conditions for the non-flash shot and the flashshot are decided while considering the sensitivity, it becomes possibleto capture the images of better qualities than those achieved by thefirst or second embodiment. Note that, if the sensitivity loweringresults that the exposure condition decided by photometry andcalculation will make an under-exposed image even with theopen-aperture, it is possible to raise the sensitivity. In that case, itis possible to change the photometric sensitivity or the imagingsensitivity between the non-flash shot and the flash shot.

Although the imaging sensitivity of the CCD 35 is changed depending uponthe calculation results for setting the exposure condition in the fourthembodiment, it is alternatively possible to change the imagingsensitivity one shot after another without executing the above-describedjudging process or calculation. Then the time lag between the successiveshots is reduced.

Now a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Inthe fifth embodiment, if an error can occur in the successive shootingmode, a corresponding warning is given to the user before shooting. Thefifth embodiment is applicable to a digital camera that has the samestructure as described in the first embodiment, except that a CPU 21functions as a device for judging whether to give a warning or not.Therefore, the same reference numerals as used in the first embodimentwill be used for the same parts of the digital camera in the followingdescription. Corresponding to a variety of errors, many kinds ofwarnings are prepared, e.g. a warning that notices a flash emission, awarning of hand-shake, a warning of under-exposure, and a warning ofout-of-focus. The judgment for the warning is done upon a shutterrelease button 16 being pressed halfway, i.e. simultaneously with the AEand AF processing. For example, the hand-shake warning is given whenthere are large differences between frames of the live image. Theunder-exposure warning is given when the subject brightness is so darkthat the exposure amount will be insufficient even under the lightestavailable exposure condition. The out-of-focus warning is given when thesubject distance is beyond a focusable range of the taking lens. The CPU21 makes judgments for these warnings.

When the CPU 21 judges that a warning should be given, the CPU 21 startsa warning display process for displaying the warning on an LCD panel 15.As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 16, the CPU 21 deletes previous dataon warning (ST201) at the start of the warning display process. Next, ifany warning is judged to be given with respect to the non-flash shot orthe flash shot, the warning is set up to be displayed (ST202). The sameprocess is carried out with respect to all kinds of warnings (ST203).Then, the warnings as being set up are displayed as marks 102 a, 102 b,102 c and 102 d together with a live image 100 on the LCD panel 15, asshown for example in FIG. 17. In the example of FIG. 17, the marks 102a, 102 b, 102 c and 102 d represent the flash emission warning, thehand-shake warning, the out-of-focus warning and the under-exposurewarning, respectively. If any of these warnings should be given aboutthe non-flash shot or the flash shot, corresponding one or more of thesemarks 102 a to 102 d are displayed commonly to the non-flash shot andthe flash shot. Since it is unnecessary to display the warning marksindividually about the non-flash shot and the flash shot, it takes lessarea for displaying the warning marks. The user can see at once from thedisplayed marks 102 a to 102 d what kinds of warnings are given aboutthe non-flash shot and the flash shot.

The LCD panel 15 may also display a mark 103 indicating that the digitalcamera is in the successive shooting mode, on the same screen as thewarning marks 102 a to 102 d. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the mark103 consists of a mark 103 a representative of the non-flash shot and amark 103 b representative of the flash shot. Beside these marks,information 104 a on the exposure condition set for the non-flash shot,e.g. the aperture value, the shutter speed, and the imaging sensitivity,and information 104 b on the exposure condition set for the flash shotmay be displayed. Instead of or in addition to displaying the warning asmarks, it is possible to give the warnings as text or voice.

Where the digital camera has a slow synchronized flash function in thestandard shooting mode, i.e., the function to switch the shutter speedto a slower value than usual and emit a flash light synchronously withthe slower shutter speed, it is preferable to deactivate the slowsynchronized flash function in the successive shooting mode. Then, boththe non-flash shot and the flash shot are made without the danger ofblurring, which could otherwise occur at the slower shutter speed.

Beside the respective features of the above embodiments, the image datacaptured by the respective shots in the successive shooting mode ispreferably stored in association with additional information, such asdata discriminating between the non-flash shot and the flash shot, anddata on the exposure condition, in a memory card 51. FIGS. 18A and 18Bshow examples of image files 111 and 112 consisting of the image data111 a and 112 a captured by the non-flash shot and the flash shot, andthe additional information 111 b and 112 b, respectively. For example,the additional information is Exif-format data, and is written in anExif-tag zone of the image data.

The content of the additional information is not limited to the aboveembodiment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, commonadditional information 115, such as date and time of the successiveshots and the like, is added to image data 113 a and 114 a as capturedby the respective shots, to constitute image files 113 and 114respectively. Since the image files 113 and 114 including the commonadditional information 115 are stored in a memory card 51, it is easyfor the user to identify those image data captured successively upon oneshutter release operation, when reviewing the image data stored in thememory card 51.

In the above embodiments, a non-flash shot and then a flash shot aremade successively upon one shutter release operation in the successiveshooting mode. However, it is possible to make the flash shot before thenon-flash shot in the successive shooting mode. Then the flash lightnotices the user and the subject of the start of shooting. When thenon-flash shot is made first, the time lag necessary for achieving asufficient volume of flash light becomes relatively long. Making theflash shot first will therefore reduce the time lag between the firstshot and the next shot. It is also possible to decide the sequence ofmaking the non-flash shot and the flash shot depending upon the exposureconditions decided by the CPU 21. For example, one to be made at ahigher shutter speed, i.e. in a shorter exposure time, is made firstbetween the non-flash shot and the flash shot.

Furthermore, it is possible to make the non-flash shot or the flash shotmore than one time upon one shutter release operation in the successiveshooting mode. That is, in order to achieve the above described effects,at least a non-flash shot and at least a flash shot should be made uponone shutter release operation in the successive shooting mode, to allowcomparison between two kinds of images of the same subject.

The present invention is also applicable to a digital camera that isprovided with an automatic flash device having a function to control thevolume of the flash light. FIG. 20 shows a sixth embodiment applied to adigital camera 120 provided with an automatic flash device 121 havingthe light volume control function. In FIG. 20, the same referencenumerals designate the same parts as in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 3, so the description of these parts is omitted with respect to thesixth embodiment.

The automatic flash device 121 is constituted of a flash circuit 122, adischarge tube 123, a light control circuit 124 and a light controlsensor 125. To make a flash shot, a control signal is output from a CPU21 to the automatic flash device 121, thereby to charge a main capacitorof the flash circuit 122. Then, in synchronism with the shutter releaseoperation, a synchronizing signal is fed to the flash circuit 122 andthe light control circuit 124. Upon the synchronizing signal, the flashcircuit 122 discharges the main capacitor through the discharge tube123, so the discharge tube emits a flash of light toward the subject.The light control sensor 125 detects light reflected from the subject,to output a luminance signal corresponding to the luminance of thereflected light. When the synchronizing signal is fed and a CCD 35starts the exposure, the light control circuit 124 receives andintegrates the luminance signal with time. When the integrated valuereaches a predetermined threshold value, the light control circuit 124outputs a stop signal to the flash circuit 122. Upon receipt of the stopsignal, the flash circuit 122 stops supplying electric current to thedischarge tube 123, to stop the light emission.

According to the sixth embodiment, at least one non-flash shot andplural times of flash shots are successively made upon one shutterrelease operation in the successive shooting mode. Besides, the CPU 21controls the imaging sensitivity of the CCD 35 to be higher for theflash shot than for the non-flash shot. With the higher imagingsensitivity, the volume of the flash light from the automatic flashdevice 121 can be reduced. It takes less time to charge the maincapacitor up to a necessary level for emitting the flash light with thereduced volume, so the time lag between the successive flash shots isreduced.

The timing when the automatic flash device 121 starts theabove-described light control is not limited to when a shutter releasebutton is pressed halfway or to the full, but may be anytime in a periodfrom immediately after the selection of the successive shooting mode tothe end of shooting. For example, the light control may start atpredetermined time intervals after the start of the successive shootingmode, or in a predetermined time after a previous shooting. The lightcontrol may also start upon an input signal entered through an operationmember other than the shutter button.

According to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, a tentativeshot is made before a final shot, and the light control for the flashlight is executed during the tentative shot, so as to save time for theexposure control and the flash light control during the final shot.Preferably, the tentative shot is set to capture image data with a fewernumber of pixels than image data captured by the final shot. Thereby, ittakes less time for the tentative shots. The seventh embodiment isapplicable to a digital camera that has the same structure as thedigital camera 120 shown in FIG. 20, so the same reference numerals asused in the sixth embodiment will be used in the seventh embodiment,while omitting the description of the camera structure.

The operation of the seventh embodiment will be described with referenceto the flow chart of FIG. 21. First, a power switch 17 is turned on(ST1), and the successive shooting mode is selected (ST2). Then, thelive image of the subject is displayed on the LCD panel 15 (ST3). Whenthe user presses a shutter release button 16 halfway (ST4), a tentativenon-flash shot and a tentative flash shot are made (ST5, ST6). Note thata flash light may be emitted immediately before these tentative shots,for the sake of preventing red-eye phenomenon.

In the tentative non-flash shot (ST5), an AF processing and an AEprocessing are executed without the flash light, to send a CPU 21 anintegrated luminance value and data on a focusing position of a lens 26where the highest contrast of the image is obtained. Depending upon thereceived data, the CPU 21 decides an exposure condition for the finalnon-flash shot. In the tentative flash shot (ST6), a pre-emission of aflash light is done with a volume controlled through an automatic flashdevice 121, and an integrated luminance value as a subject brightnessvalue, data on a focusing position of the lens 26 where the highestcontrast of the image is obtained, and a luminance value detected by alight control sensor 125, i.e. the luminance value of the reflectedflash light, are sent to the CPU 21. Based on these values, the CPU 21decides an exposure condition and a flash light volume for the finalflash shot (ST7).

When the user confirms a live image (ST8) and presses the shutter button16 to the full (ST9), the CPU 21 makes the final non-flash shot (ST10),while controlling the aperture value and the shutter speed according tothe exposure condition decided during the tentative non-flash shot. Insuccession to this, the final flash shot is made (ST11), while the CPU21 changes the aperture value and the shutter speed according to theexposure condition decided during the tentative flash shot, and controlsthe automatic flash device 121 to emit a flash light with the volumedecided during the tentative flash shot. Thereafter, images captured bythe final non-flash shot and the final flash shot are displayed aspost-view images on an LCD panel 15 (ST12), and image data of thecaptured images are written in a memory card 51 (ST13). When apredetermined number of successive shots are made in this way upon oneshutter release operation, a sequence of successive shooting isterminated.

Since the processing for flash light control and the calculation forexposure control are carried out during the tentative shots before thefinal shots, it is unnecessary to make the processing for flash lightcontrol and the like during the final shots, so the time lag between thefinal non-flash shot and the final flash shot is reduced. Furthermore,the pre-emission of the flash light for the tentative flash shot willmake the user and the subject aware of the start of shooting.

The pre-emission of the flash light for the tentative flash shot maydouble as that for the red-eye reduction. Then, a sufficient time forclosing the iris is provided between the flash pre-emission for thetentative flash shot and the flash emission for the final flash shot, sothe effect of red-eye reduction is enhanced. Moreover, it is unnecessaryto provide a specific device for emitting light for the red-eyereduction, and the requisite number of times of flash light emissions isreduced. Then, the consumption of batteries in the digital camera willbe reduced.

Although the LCD panel 15 merely displays the live image before thefinal shots in the above embodiment, it is possible to display imagescaptured by the tentative non-flash and flash shots as preview images onthe LCD panel 15. Thereby, the user can preview how the images will becaptured, in advance to the final shots. As the image data is capturedwith a fewer number of pixels, i.e. at a lower resolution, by thetentative shot, the preview image is displayed instantly. Then, imagedata is captured with a larger number of pixels, i.e. at a higherresolution, by the final shot, to obtain a high-definition image.

In the embodiment as set forth above with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17,warning data is displayed if a warning is to be given with respect tothe non-flash shot or the flash shot. But the present invention is notlimited to this embodiment. It is possible to display warning dataindividually about each of the non-flash shot and the flash shot. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 22, information on the non-flash shot or afirst shot may be displayed in an upper zone as bounded by a dashed line151 a, whereas information on the flash shot or a second shot may bedisplayed in a lower zone as bounded by a dashed line 151 b. In theinformation zone 151 a for the non-flash zone, data on an exposurecondition 152 a and warning marks 153 a and 153 b are displayed. In theinformation zone 151 b for the flash zone, data on an exposure condition152 b and warning marks 153 c and 153 d are displayed. Thus, the user isnoticed of the exposure condition and the warning with respect to eachshot.

Although the warning data is displayed on the same screen as the liveimage in the above embodiments, it is possible to display the warningdata in association with each preview image which may be obtained by atentative shot in the way as set forth above. For example, as shown inFIG. 23, a fragment of an image obtained by a first shot that may be anon-flash shot is displayed as a preview image 155 a in a corner of anLCD panel 15, whereas a fragment of an image obtained by a second shotthat may be a flash shot is displayed as a preview image 155 b inanother corner of the LCD panel 15. Beside these preview images 155 aand 155 b, data on exposure conditions 152 a and 152 b and warning marks153 a to 153 d are displayed in the same way as in the embodiment shownin FIG. 22. Thereby, the user can check the information on therespective shots together with their preview images.

It is also possible to display the warning data and the exposurecondition data with respect to a predetermined one, e.g. a first one, ofa series of successive shots. This embodiment needs a small area fordisplaying the information, so a large area is usable for displaying thelive image or the preview image. The one shot, about which the warningdata and the exposure condition data is to be displayed, may notnecessarily be predetermined, but may be chosen in an appropriatemanner. For example, the exposure condition data and the warning datamay be displayed with respect to such a shot that an exposure conditiondeciding device, e.g. a CPU 21, decides to make at a slower shutterspeed than others. This is because the shot made at the slow shutterspeed is more likely to be affected by the hand-sake or the like.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 24, it is possible to display exposurecondition data 157 about a shot that is decided to be made at a slowershutter speed, and warning marks 158 a to 158 d, each of which is to begiven about at least one of the successive shots, like in the fifthembodiment.

According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, exposurecondition data 161 a and warning data 162 a on a first shot aredisplayed in a time period from the start of a series of successiveshots to the end of the first shot, as shown in FIG. 25A, andthereafter, exposure condition data 161 b and warning data 162 b on asecond shot are displayed immediately after the first shot, as shown inFIG. 25B. Because only information on the following shot is displayed, asmall area is used for displaying the information, so a large area isusable for displaying the live image or the preview image. Where morethan two shots are successively made upon a shutter release operation,exposure condition data and warning data on a third shot are displayedimmediately after the second shot.

The timing of displaying the exposure condition data and the warningdata is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, it ispossible to display the information immediately after the first shot,after every shot, or after the last shot of one series. The exposurecondition data and the warning data may also be displayed immediatelyafter an exposure condition deciding device, such as a CPU 21, decidesexposure conditions for the respective shots. Thereby, the display onthe screen is simplified before the decision of the exposure conditions.

The exposure condition data and the warning data may be displayed on aseparate display device, instead of an LCD panel 15 of a digital camera.

Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the aboveembodiments but, on the contrary, various modifications will be possiblewithout departing from the scope of claims appended hereto.

1. A digital camera provided with a special successive shooting modewherein an imaging device makes a series of successive shots upon eachshutter release operation, including at least a non-flash shot and atleast a flash shot that is made synchronously with a flash light from aflash device, said digital camera comprising: an exposure conditiondeciding device for deciding exposure condition of said imaging devicethrough photometry and calculation, wherein said exposure conditiondeciding device decides a common exposure condition to the non-flashshot and the flash shot in said successive shooting mode; and whereinsaid digital camera is provided with a slow synchronized flash function,whereby a flash shot is made at a slower shutter speed than usual in astandard shooting mode, and wherein said slow synchronized flashfunction is deactivated in said successive shooting mode.
 2. A digitalcamera as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light control devicefor controlling volume of the flash light from said flash device, saidlight control device being successively driven upon a predeterminedoperation or at predetermined timing while said imaging device is beingdriven successively in said successive shooting mode.
 3. A digitalcamera as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a device for changingimaging sensitivity of said imaging device, wherein the imagingsensitivity is changed when under-exposure will occur under the exposurecondition decided based on the present sensitivity in said successiveshooting mode.
 4. A digital camera as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a judging device for judging whether to lower photometricsensitivity and imaging sensitivity when a measured subject brightnessvalue is above a predetermined value, wherein when said judging devicejudges to lower the photometric sensitivity and imaging sensitivity,said exposure condition deciding device carries out the photometry andcalculation at the lowered photometric and imaging sensitivities todecide the exposure conditions, and said imaging device makes thesuccessive shots at the lowered imaging sensitivity.
 5. A digital cameraas claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display device fordisplaying images based on image data obtained through said imagingdevice, wherein said display device displays images as captured by thesuccessive shots of one series in said successive shooting mode.
 6. Adigital camera as claimed in claim 5, wherein said display devicedisplays the images as captured by the successive shots of one series,simultaneously on a screen.
 7. A digital camera as claimed in claim 5,wherein said display device displays the images as captured by thesuccessive shots of one series, one by one on a screen.
 8. A digitalcamera as claimed in claim 7, wherein said display device displays theimages as captured by the successive shots of one series, sequentiallywhile switching over the screen at predetermined time intervals.
 9. Adigital camera as claimed in claim 7, wherein said display deviceswitches over its screen in response to an operation on an operatingdevice, to display the captured images one by one.
 10. A digital cameraas claimed in claim 5, wherein said display device displays at least oneof the captured images immediately after the successive shots of oneseries are made.
 11. A digital camera as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid display device displays at least one of the captured images, afterimage data obtained by the successive shots of one series are written ina storage medium.
 12. A digital camera as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a warning device for giving warning when it is judged to benecessary to warn about one or both of the non-flash shot and the flashshot in said successive shooting mode.
 13. A digital camera as claimedin claim 12, wherein said warning device totally displays dataindicating the content of warnings about any of the successive shots ofone series.
 14. A digital camera as claimed in claim 12, wherein saidwarning device individually displays data indicating the content ofwarnings about each of the successive shots of one series.
 15. A digitalcamera as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one of the warning dataand the exposure condition is displayed immediately after the firstshot, after every shot or after the last shot of the successive shots ofone series in said successive shooting mode.
 16. A digital camera asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a display device that displaydata on exposure conditions of the respective successive shots of oneseries immediately after said exposure condition deciding device decidesthe exposure conditions in said successive shooting mode.
 17. A digitalcamera as claimed in claim 1, wherein additional data discriminatingbetween the non-flash shot and the flash shot are attached to the imagedata obtained by the respective shots in said successive shooting mode.18. A digital camera as claimed in claim 1, wherein common additionaldata is attached to the image data obtained by the same series of thesuccessive shots.
 19. A digital camera provided with a specialsuccessive shooting mode wherein an imaging device makes a series ofsuccessive shots upon each shutter release operation, including at leasta non-flash shot and at least a flash shot that is made synchronouslywith a flash light from a flash device, said digital camera comprising:an exposure condition deciding device for deciding exposure condition ofsaid imaging device through photometry and calculation, wherein saidexposure condition deciding device decides a common exposure conditionto the non-flash shot and the flash shot in said successive shootingmode; and wherein said imaging device first makes tentative non-flashand flash shots at a low resolution, and thereafter makes the successiveshots of one series at a higher resolution in said successive shootingmode.
 20. A digital camera as claimed in claim 19, further comprising adisplay device for displaying preview images based on image dataobtained by the tentative shots, and a warning device that judges onnecessity of warning about the successive shots, and makes said displaydevice to display necessary warnings together with the correspondingpreview images.
 21. A digital camera as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a light control device for controlling volume of the flashlight from said flash device, wherein said flash device makes apre-emission with a first light volume, and said light control devicecalculates a second light volume during the pre-emission, so said flashdevice emits the flash light with the second light volume at the flashshot of the successive shots in said successive shooting mode.
 22. Adigital camera as claimed in claim 21, wherein said pre-emission doublesas a light emission for red-eye reduction.